Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas in line for big paydays

Posted by Mike Florio on January 20, 2014, 11:16 AM EDT

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Unlike the 49ers, the Seahawks don’t have to worry about placating their young, underpriced quarterback with a new contract. By rule, Russell Wilson must wait one more year before getting a new contract.

But other members of the Seattle team are eligible for renegotiated contracts. Leading the way after Super Bowl XLVIII will be cornerback Richard Sherman and safety Earl Thomas.

Sherman, a fifth-round pick in 2011, has completed the third year of his rookie deal. One year away from free agency, the outspoken Sherman surely will be saying plenty about what he deserves — especially if he makes another clutch play to secure the franchise’s first-ever championship.

It’ll be hard to pay Sherman without rewarding safety Earl Thomas. The first-round pick in 2010 has a year left on his rookie deal, with a base salary of $3.725 million due in 2014.

Beyond Sherman and Thomas, cornerback Walter Thurmond becomes a free agent in March. And cornerback Byron Maxwell is in the same position as Sherman, with three years of service under a late-round 2011 rookie deal.

Complicating matters for the Seahawks has been a willingness to pay big money to guys who got started elsewhere, and who haven’t lived up to the investment. Receiver Percy Harvin got a $12 million signing bonus last year after a trade with the Vikings, and he’ll receive $36 million over three years. To date, Harvin has appeared in two games.

Two years earlier, the Seahawks signed receiver Sidney Rice to a big-money deal after his Minnesota contract expired. Due to make $8.5 million in 2014 and coming off a torn ACL, Rice likely won’t be back without a major reduction.

Regardless of what happens with Rice, players who have yet to get paid big money will remember the investments made in guys who had previously done nothing for the Seahawks. The time is coming for the Seahawks to reward the players who have earned their money not via exploits with other teams, but by delivering results in Seattle.

All you Seahawk haters out there enjoy being angry every Sunday because this is the 4th youngest team in football and was the youngest team in the playoffs and they will continue to be good for a long time.

Sherman and Thomas will get their well deserved contracts. Sidney Rice, Paul McQuistain and even possibly Red Bryant have about 20 million dollars total that will either be cut or restructured so their cap situation is just fine. Even though most of you don’t understand it, this team drafts so well from top to bottom making them the deepest roster in NFL. Go Hawks!

When Percy Harvin wins Superbowl XLVIII MVP, will that be considered a “good return on the investment” ???

richmondbolt says:Jan 20, 2014 11:48 AM

So basically Seattle has this chance and next year to win a Super Bowl. After that the team will be ripped apart. Wilson is going to need to play much better to get it this year. Hawks better hope for rain or snow.

joetoronto says:Jan 20, 2014 11:49 AM

The NFL has 2 weeks to test these roided out jerks, they better get on it.

jayhawk6 says:Jan 20, 2014 11:51 AM

Does GM Schneider have the same level of skill for balancing books as he does for recognizing talent?

Sherman and Thomas are very smart people. They both know to be great they need to surround themselves with really good players. I don’t see either one of them breaking the bank, thus not allowing the seahawks to accomplish this.

For every player that gets paid, there are one or two more that don’t and end up somewhere else.

Big contracts break teams. Seattle will be average in a couple years. A few guys getting most of the cap money and the rest will be guys that don’t require much in the way of payment.

Wait til wilson gets 20 million a year. Add all these big contracts into the cap and see how many good players the team can afford.

SF is in the same boat. Players who will be demanding big money. Lose a few key players and see how good they are.

truninerfan49 says:Jan 20, 2014 12:37 PM

bert1913 says:
Jan 20, 2014 11:52 AM
Sherman and Thomas are very smart people. They both know to be great they need to surround themselves with really good players. I don’t see either one of them breaking the bank, thus not allowing the seahawks to accomplish this

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You are right, pro athletes care more about surrounding themselves with good players than getting a huge contract. Ask Joe Flacco and Drew Brees about that.

damnskins703 says:Jan 20, 2014 12:37 PM

2 all pro players on the defensive side of the ball these 2 are the best at the position, damn Niners fans don’t take Ls that good

shlort says:Jan 20, 2014 12:39 PM

joenash72 says:Jan 20, 2014 11:40 AM

When Percy Harvin wins Superbowl XLVIII MVP, will that be considered a “good return on the investment” ???
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Usually, the winner of the MVP award is on the winning team. Chuck Howley did in a few decades ago though, so it is not like it has never happened.

seattlenative57 says:Jan 20, 2014 12:50 PM

Schneider, Carroll and of course, Paul Allen will all work within the league-mandated salary cap and manage it accordingly.

What outsiders fail to recognize is that this organization is building something special and it’s only the beginning. The players love competing to play for the Hawks and the talent will continue to improve and prosper. Count on it …

footballcrazyguy says:Jan 20, 2014 12:52 PM

What the haters here are forgetting is that Seattle is a great place to be. Would you rather spend November and December in deep snow like most of the country or in a light rain and 45 degrees like Seattle. Plus they have the richest owner in sports (aka signing bonuses are rounding errors in his checking account), a great practice facility, coaches who they actually like (not angry dorks like Harbaugh or morons like Garrett). So they will lose a few players but it will be ones they are comfortable replacing. Rice will move on as will Browner and possibly Thurmond.

bert1913 says:
Sherman and Thomas are very smart people. They both know to be great they need to surround themselves with really good players. I don’t see either one of them breaking the bank, thus not allowing the seahawks to accomplish this.
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Seattle developed talent as good or better than any other team as evidenced by their age and draft position . Yess Seattle will lose a piece or two but keep its core . They gave some high priced guys like Rice ,and Miller and some lineman who will either restructure or be gone . And they’ll do what they’ve been doing . Developing young talent that fits their system .

Seahawks are loaded with talent like USC was bc of how they scout and practice so hard . Seahawks are the 3rd youngest team in the nfl . Losing a guy or two won’t affect that they are clearly here to stay for a whole . But sure guys keep grasping for straws to try and make yourself feel better .

$10-$15 mil for Sherman, a similar deal for Earl Thomas, Brandon Browner is gone because he may be suspended. Walter Thurmond and Brian Maxwell are free agents, and the Niners would like to sign one of them. It is going to be a real fun off season watching Seattle juggle their roster. They may end up with Sherman and Thomas but lose Maxwell, Thurmond and Browner.

It’ll be a fun time when Richard Sherman becomes a free agent so the hypocracy of the Sherman haters will be revealed as they all clamor for him to join their team, and once he does, sing his praises and love him to no end.

bigfish06 says:Jan 20, 2014 1:28 PMPacker fan here. Lets see how Seattle does not only with a tight cap, but picking at the bottom of the draft the next few years. Same for SF.

because the Seahawks front office has not demonstrated an ability to find and develop pro bowl talent in the later rounds and even undrafted players? Most of you jealous fools wish you had personnel half as good as them. Go Hawks!

cwen05 says:Jan 21, 2014 2:23 PM

Not only will we re-sign these two, we’ll also add another key piece like Jimmy Graham to further strengthen our team for the years to come. Seahawks are already under the cap with 12.9 mil entering 2014 season. Sidney Rice’s contract of 8.5 mil will be let go, putting us 21.4 mil under the cap and that is before any restructuring/releasing of contracts like Red or Percy.

Earl already makes 3.75 mil so a bump of 4-5 mil a yr isn’t out of the question since he’s proven that he is the best safety in the NFL. The Hawks have made a commitment to Chancellor this year as well.

Sherman will no doubt get his contract (7-9 mil per)probably heavily loaded with signing bonus, like him our not he is the best CB in the league. Targeted 58 times this year and led the league with 8 int’s, that’s a 13% int ratio. Pete has also been on local radio stating the importance of keeping the LOB intact for a long time since they’re so young and talented. Plus there is no reason the Hawks will want to enter 2014 possibly playing for back to back title runs with a Sherman contract distraction/Hold out because obviously he’ll speak his mind.

The Hawks real need is on the offensive side of the ball. We’ve made it a point in the past years with Pete & John at the helm to go after the best possible position player available in FA Miller,Sidney, Percy, Avril and Bennett. Marshawn to a degree but acquired him through a trade but still went after one of the best available RB’s at the time. So this is why I believe we will be in the Jimmy Graham sweepstakes. Zach Miller will make 4.8 mil next year, if we can make the obvious upgrade at this position adding another 4-5 mil to Graham’s contract that would put him in the top TE pay (Gronk & Whitten ) making Miller expendable while keeping us still roughly 4 mil under the cap to resign Bennett, again before restructuring or releasing of contracts.

Percy will get another year to prove himself but if he can’t he will be cut loose to give that money to Wilson. John and Pete know what they’re doing, keeping this team young and competitive. Not to mention they will have two more drafts before they have to make a decision on how much to pay Wilson. Like us or not you’re currently watching a dynasty in the making……….

You think Harvin will restructure after one year? Or for that matter EVER? Percy does what’s best for Percy. This Seahawks team will look so different a year from now and this “12t man”, bandwagon flock of fans will disappear quickly. Seattle is the biggest bandwagon sports town of all time. Their fans are the worst too. I’ve been to century link in a Jared Allen jersey. You’re also crazy if you think hotshot Sherman and Mr. I brag after every play earl Thomas won’t cash out. You must be that bandwagon fan I’m talking about thay actually knows nothing.